Rotary drilling rig and angle drive therefor



y 4, 1966 E. L. ALEXANDER ETAL 3,252,527

ROTARY DRILLING RIG AND ANGLE DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Sept. 4, 1965 4Sheets5heet 1 INVENTORJS fmm eff L. A/exanc/er BY Herschel L. Bu/es.

ATTORNEY May 24, 1966 E. L. ALEXANDER ET AL 3,252,527

ROTARY DRILLING RIG AND ANGLE DRIVE THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledSept. 4, 1963 w m m m Alexander f/ersa/ze/ L. 5

ATroR/vgx y 1966 E. L. ALEXANDER ET AL 3,252,527

RQTARY DRILLING RIG AND ANGLE DRIVE THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledSept. 4, 1963 INVENTORS fmmeff L. Alexander fienschp/ L. Bu/As ATTORNEYMay 24, 1966 E. L. ALEXANDER ET AL ROTARY DRILLING RIG AND ANGLE DRIVETHEREFOR Filed Sept. 4, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 L v v 5mm efl L. AlexanderBY Herschel L Bales ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,252,527 ROTARYDRILLING RIG AND ANGLE DRIVE THEREFOR Emmett L. Alexander and HerschelL. Bules, Enid, Okla, assignors to George E. Failing Company, Enid,Okla, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 306,552

9 Claims. (Cl. 173-41) This invention relates to drilling rigs of a typefordrilling slanting bore holes, usually known as shot hole drills.

Drilling rigs of this type usually include a mobile support for carryingthe drilling equipment, such as a power unit, drawworks, pumps,compressors, and a mast which carries the drill pipe rotating mechanism.

The mast, when in transport position is carried in a reclining positionabove the various other drilling mechanisms on the mobile support. Forthis reason, the pivotal axis for the mast is usually provided bybearings supported at the top of stationary brackets that are ofsuflicient height for the mast to clear the drilling mechanisms. Such anarrangementbrings the base of the mast in desired position for drillingvertical holes, but when slanting holes are to be drilled, as, forexample, in angle face drilling in strip and open pit mining operations,the mast is tilted at any angle from vertical to as much as 30 oifvertical, consequently, the base of the mast, when drilling slantingholes, swings away from the mobile support and changes the height of thebase relatively to the mobile support. Thus it is diflicult to maintaina simple driving connection between the power on the mobile support andthe drill pipe rotating mechanism that is carried in the mast.

Relative movement of the base of the mast has been reduced to a minimumby providing two pivotal axes for the mast, as disclosed in copendingapplication Serial No. 242,662, filed December 6, 1962. The firstpivotal axis is one on which the mast is raised from transport positionto an erect position, and the second pivotal axis is located near thebase of the mast and is the one on which the mast is pivoted when angleface drilling in strip or open pit mining operations and the like.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention toprovide a simple driving connection cooperating with the mechanismdisclosed and claimed in said application, to automatically connect thepower mechanism on the mobile support with the drill pipe rotatingmechanism when the mast is pivoted on the first horizontal axis and tomaintain the driving connection when the mast is pivoted on the secondhorizontal axis from vertical position through the slanting positionsrequired in angle face and other drilling operations where slantingholes are required.

In accomplishing the above and other objects of the invention ashereinafter described, we have provided improved structure, thepreferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a drilling rig equippedwith an angle driving mechanism constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, and showing the mast being pivoted on the upper orfirst axis to carry the mast into vertical position and to automatical-1y effect a driving connection between the section of the drive that isconnected with the power on the mobile ice support and the drivensection that is connected with the drill rotating mechanism carried bythe mast.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view showing the driving and drivensections of the angle drive in interconnected position.

FIG. 3 is a similar view to FIG. 1, but showing the mast tilted to aninclined position on the second pivotal axis for angular drilling, andshowing self-positioning of the U-joint parts of the angle drive tomaintain the driving connection between the power on the mobile supportand the drill pipe rotating mechanism carried by the mast.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the driving and driven sections of theangle shaft, parts thereof being in section and showing the drivensection of the angle drive just prior to coupling contact with thedriving section.

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing the parts after the connection orcoupling has been made.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sleeve-jaw member of the drivingsection, a part of the sleeve being broken away to show the splinestherein.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the jaw-flange of the driven section.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 3, showingthe bearing bracket for rotatably anchoring the sleeve-jaw of thedriving section to a fixed part of the mobile support.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the U-joint support for the drivensection of the angle drive.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a drilling rig for drilling bore holes, and particularlybore holes 'aslant from the vertical, as in drilling shot holes forangle face or open pit mining operations. The drilling rig includes amobile support 2 having a platform 3 for carrying the power unit,drawworks or hoist, pumps, compressors, and a mast 4 which carries thedrill pipe rotating mechanism. Since the rig 1 is of relatively largesize, the drawings illustrate only the rear portion of the mobilesupport 2, the drawworks or hoist 5 thereon, and the transmission 6which transmits power from the power unit (not shown) through an angledrive 7 embodying the features of the present invention. Also, since themast is of substantial length, the drawings illustrate only the lowerportion of base 8 thereof.

The portion of the platform 3 at the rear of the hoist S has an openrectangular bay 9 with an entrance 10 thereto through which the base ofthe mast swings into and out of any one of its drilling positions.

Briefly, the mast 4 includes corner legs 11, 12, 13 and 14 which areinterconnected except for the legs 13 and 14 by girths 15 and braces 16.Carried by the legs near the lower end thereof is a drilling platform orfloor 17 having side plates 18 and 19 that are attached to the legs ofthe mast. Extending across the sides of the legs below the side plates18 and 19 are plates 20 carrying guide shoes 21 at the respective sidesof the base of the mast.

In order that the mast, when in transport position, may

be kept at a convenient height when the mast is in erect position.

The pivotal axis 22 is provided by brackets 23 projecting from the sidesof the legs 11 and 12 of the mast, to carry pivot pins 24 on pivotedsupports 25. The mast also has a pivotal axis 26 located to extendtransversely at the rear of the bay on pivot shafts 27 (FIG. 2). Thesupports 25 have their lower ends fixed on the pivot shafts 27. Pivotingof the supports 25 is controlled by telescopic brace .legs 28 (FIG. 1).The mast is raised about the axis 22, from a horizontal carryingposition to a vertical position with the base thereof positioned in thebay by means of hydraulic cylinders 29 (FIG. 1) that are connectedbetween the platform 3 and a portion of the mast above the pivotal axis22, also shown and described in the above mentioned application. Whenthe mast is in erect position trunnions 30 (FIG. 2) on the ends of thepivot shafts 27 are projected from inner sides of the base into openings31 (see FIG. 2) in the plates which carry the guide shoes 21, theopenings being registrable with the secondpivotal axis 26. It is on theaxis 26 that the mast is retracted from a vertical position to any oneof the slanting positions necessary in drilling shot holes (see FIG. 3).

The specific structure thus briefly described and illustrated in thepresent application forms no part of the present invention, it beingsuflicient that the mast has an upper pivotal axis 22 on which it ispivoted from horizontal to vertical position, and a lower pivotal axis26 on which the mast is pivoted to a slanting drilling position, andalso that the mobile support have a power driven transmission 6 andmeans to drive the drill pipe rotating mechanism that is carried by themast.

The drill pipe rotary mechanism of the present drawings is shown anddescribed in detail in copending application Serial No. 283,429, filedMay 27, 1963, and includes gearing indicated by the casing 32 that ismounted under the platform or floor 17 at one side of an opening 33'(FIG. 2) in the platform and through which the drilling string (notshown) extends. The gearing indicated by the casing 32 rotates avertical drive rod 33 to actuate a gearing :on a traveling head (notshown) that travels on guides 34 which are carried by the legs 13 and 14of the mast.

In carrying out the present invention, the angle drive 7 includes adriving section 35 carried by the mobile support 2 and a driven section36 that is carried by the mast from the casing 32, and the sections 35and 36 are automatically connected together incidental to pivoting of.the mast on the axis 22 to an erect position, and which retain thatconnection when the mast is pivoted on the lower axis 26.

Since the casing 32 is usually offest from the power transmission 6, thedriving and driven sections 35 and 36 extend at an angle as shown inFIG. 2. Therefore, the power output shaft 37 of the transmission 6terminates in a universal joint 38 which is a part of the drivingsection 35. The driving section 35 also includes a shaft 40 having oneend fixed to the universal joint 38 and its opposite end 41 journaled infixed position relative to the mobile support within a bearing bracket42 that is attached to an extension 43 projecting from the mobilesupport into the open bay 9, as best shown in FIG. 2. The bearingbracket 42 includes a body part 44 (FIGS. 4 and and end plates 45 and 46to provide a cylindrical chamber 47 encircling the end 41 of the drivingshaft 40 and which slidably mounts therein the outer race 48 of anantifriction bearing 49. The body 44 of the bracket is anchored to theextension 43 by studs 50 (FIG. 8) that extend through lugs 51 atopposite diametrical sides of the body part 44 and through a part of theextension 43. Carried within the inner race 52 of the antif-rictionbearing 49 is a drive sleeve 53.

The drive sleeve 53 is best illustnated in FIG. 6, and has an axial bore54 to accommodate the end 41 of the drive shaft 40 therein. The end ofthe bore which receives the drive shaft has splines 55 engaging withsplines 56 on the drive shaft to rotate the sleeve therewith. Theopposite end of the sleeve has a head 57 which forms a shoulder 58 toseat the inner race 52 of the antifriction bearing 49 thereagainst bymeans of a ring 60 which is mounted in an annular groove 61 of thesleeve at the opposite side of the bearing. The sleeve 53 with thebearing 49 thereon is slidable axially within the cylinder chamber 47 ofthe bearing bracket under action of a coil spring 62 sleeved on thedrive shaft and having one end engaging a shoulder 63 on the drive shaftand the other end engaging the adjacent end of the sleeve to project thehead of the sleeve from the bearing bracket, the extent of theprojection of the head being limited by the outer race of the bearingcontacting an annular stop shoulder 64 on the end plate 46.

Oil seals are maintained around the sleeve by oil rings 65 and 66, insetwithin the plates 45 and 46, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The head 57 ofthe sleeve has an inset annular rib 67 to provide a stop for the end 41of the driving shaft 40 to limit movement of the sleeve in the oppositedirection.

The head 57 of the sleeve also has a plurality of driving lugs 68projecting therefrom and arranged in spaced apart relation to providenotches 69 between the lugs.

The driven section 36 of the angle drive includes a collar 70 attachedto the projecting end of the power input shaft 71 in the gear casing 32.Fixed to the front of the collar 70 is a double universal joint 72carrying a jaw flange 73. Formed on the opposite face of the jaw flangeis a stud or pilot 74 having a cone-shaped terminal 75 to guide thepilot into the open end 76 of the driving head 57 of the drivingsection. Also formed on the jaw flange in circular series around thepilot are lugs 77, conforming to the notches 69 between the lugs 68previously described. The lugs 77 also have notches 78 therebetweenwhich are adapted to receive the lugs on the driving sleeve. The doubleuniversal joint 72 is so positioned that a point midway between thearticulated axes thereof is in registry with the lower horizontal axis26 on which the mast is pivoted. The jaw flange 73 is supported inposition to enter the head of the jaw sleeve by means of a universaljoint support 79, best illustrated in FIG. 9, and which includes atrough-like body 80 having a flange 81 on one end to be connected to thecasing 32 by selected fastening devices 82. The opposite end of thesupport is closed by a flange 83. When the universal joint support isattached to the gear casing 32, it is positioned directly under thedouble universal joint 72, with the jaw flange 73 initially supportedtherein, as shown in FIG. 4.

Assuming that a drilling rig constructed and assembled as described, andequipped With an angle drive embodying the features of the presentinvention, is to be used for drilling a slanting bore hole, as, forexample, a shot hole, in strip or open pit mining operations, thedrilling rig is transported to the drilling site with the mast in areclining position and supported on the upper transverse axis 22.

To set up for drilling, the mast is pivoted on the axis 22 to a verticalposition by means of the hydraulic cylinders 29. 9 of the mobile support2, the conical terminal 75 of the pilot 74, being held in position bythe universal joint support 79, enters the open end 76 of the bore orsocket in the driving head 57. Even if there is a slight misalignment,the conical portion of the pilot 74 will guide the pilot 74 between thelugs 68 and into a position so that the lugs 71 on the jaw flange 73will enter the spaces 69 of the driving head, and the lugs 68 on thedriving head will enter the spaces 78 between the lugs 77 on the jawflange. This movement of the pilot 74 into the socket lifts the jawflange 73 from support by the troughlike body 80 and the universaljoints are suspended between the jaw flange and the input shaft 71. Thethrust of the driven head against the driving head will shift the As thebase 8 of the mast enters the bay sleeve 53 within the chamber 47 of thebearing bracket 42, to compress the spring 62. During this movement ofthe sleeve, the antifriction bearing 49 will move from the stop 64 andthe annular rib 67 of the sleeve will engage the splined end 41 of thedriving shaft to limit the retractive movement of the sleeve. However,the movement of the sleeve is sufiicient to load the spring so that thespring maintains a tight connection between the jaws of the driving head57 and the driven head that is provided by the jaw flange. Ininterengaged position, the center of the double universal joint 72registers with the lower transverse axis 26. The pivot pins 27 areprojected inwardly of the bay 9 so that the trunnions 30 thereon willenter the openings 31, to lock the base portion of the mast to pivotupon the axis 26.

The start of the drilling string may be assembled and lowered throughthe opening 33 of the platform 17. If a slanting hole is to be drilled,the telescoping braces 28 are adjusted and the mast moved retractivelyby the hydraulic cylinders 29 to pivot the mast on the axis 26 of thetrunnions to the desired slanting position. During this movement of themast, the jaws of the driving and driven heads will remain ininterengagement, since the center of the double universal joint 72remains in registry.

with the axis 26.

Power is transmitted to the drill pipe rotating mechanism from the powertransmission 6, through the univers'al 38, drive shaft 40, driving anddriven heads, the double universal joint, and collar 7%, to drive thepower input shaft 71 of the drill pipe rotating gearing that is housedin the casing 32. The drive is maintained at any angle to which the masthas been adjusted, since the double universal joint positioned on theaxis 26 compensates for the different angles.

When the drilling operation is completed, the mast is again moved on thetrunnions 30 from slanting position to vertical position by extendingthe telescoping braces to their original position. This is readilybrought about as disclosed in the above mentioned application Serial No.242,662. The pivot shafts 27 may then be moved longitudinally of theaxis 26 to disengage the trunnions 30 from the openings 31, so that themast is free to be pivoted on the axis 22 to bring the mast intotransport position on the mobile support. During this movement of themast, the driven head moves away from the driving head, to disconnectthe jaws and to withdraw the pilot from the socket of the driving head.Due to the double universal joint, the jaw flange 73 or driven head willdrop slightly for support in the trough member, but the pilot 74 will beheld in position so that it will automatically reenter the driving headwhen the mast is raised from the mobile support.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that we have provided an angle drivewhich has driving and driven sections that are readily and automaticallyconnected and disconnected responsive to pivoting of the mast. It isalso obvious that the driving and driven jaws are locked ininterengaging position and the double universal joint will compensatefor position of the mast in any one of its drilling positions.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A drilling rig for drilling bore holes, including a mast,

a support for the mast,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support to a substantially vertical position,

a power unit on the support,

a drill pipe rotating means on the mast,

an single drive separate from and located below said upper pivotingmeans for connecting the power unit with the drill pipe rotating meanswhen the mast is moving into vertical position, said angle driveineluding a driving section carried by the support,

a driven section carried by the mast, and

means for automatically coupling said sections together when the mast ispivoted to said vertical position.

2. A drilling rig for drilling slanting bore holes, in-

cluding a mast,

a support for the mast,

a power unit on the support,

a drill pipe rotating means on the mast,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support about one axis,

means for tilting the mast on the support about a sec ond and lower axisto drill slanting holes,

an angle drive connecting the power unit with the drill pipe rotatingmeans, said angle drive including a driving section carried by thesupport substantially in a horizontal plane with said lower axis,

a driven section carried by the mast and movable therewith, and

means for automatically coupling said sections together when the mast ispivoted on the upper pivoting means and for maintaining said drivingconnection when the mast is tilted on the second and lower axis todrilling position.

3. A drilling rig for drilling slanting holes as described in claim 2,and including a dual universal joint means centering with the second andlower axis for driving the drill pipe rotating means when the mast is inslanting position.

4. In a drilling rig for drilling slanting bore holes,

including a mast,

a support for the mast,

a power unit on the support,

a drill pipe rotating means on the mast,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support to a vertical position relatively tothe support, and

an angle drive below the upper pivoting means for connecting the powerunit with the drill pipe rotating means,

the improvement in which said angle drive includes a driving sectioncarried by the support and having a driving shaft portion,

jaw means slidably connected with the driving shaft portion,

a driven section carried by the mast and having a driven member providedwith jaw means for engaging the jaw means of the driving shaft portionof the driving section when the mast is pivoted to verti cal position onsaid upper pivoting means, and

a spring yieldingly maintaining the jaw means on the driving shaftportion in interengagement with the jaw means of the driven member.

5. In a drilling rig for drilling slanting bore holes, in-

cluding a mast,

a support for the mast,

a power unit on the support,

a drill pipe rotating means on the mast,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support to a vertical position relatively tothe support for drilling vertical bore holes,

a lower means for tilting the mast on the support about a second axis onwhich the mast is tilted for drilling slanting bore holes,

an angle drive connecting the power unit with the drill pipe rotatingmeans,

the improvement in which said angle drive includes a driving sectioncarried by the support and having a driving shaft portion insubstantially horizontal plane with said lower means,

jaw means slidably connected with the driving shaft portion,

having a driven section carried by the mast and having a universal jointcarrying a jaw means for engaging the jaw means of the driving shaftportion of the driving section when the mast is pivoted to verticalposition on said upper pivoting means, and

a spring yieldingly maintaining the jaw means in interengagement whenthe mast is in either of its drilling positions.

6. A drilling rig for drilling slanting bore holes, in-

cluding a mast,

' a support for the mast,

a power unit on the support, I

a drill pipe rotating means on the mast,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support about one axis,

a lower means for tilting the mast on the support about a second axis todrill slanting holes,

an angle drive connecting the power unit with the drill pipe rotatingmeans, said angle drive including a driving section carried by thesupport in substantially horizontal plane with the lower tilting means,

a driven section carried by the mast and movable therewith,

a driving head having resilient mounting on the driving section andprovided with an axial socket, and

a driven head on the driven section having a pilot engaging in saidsocket of the driving head to register the driving and driven heads inengagement when the mast is pivoted on the upper pivoting means and formaintaining said driving connection when the mast is pivoted on thesecond axis to drilling position.

7. A drilling rig for drilling slanting bore holes, in-

cluding a mast,

a support for the mast,

a power unit on the support,

a drill pipe rotating means on'the mast,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support about one axis,

a lower means for tilting the mast on the supportrabout a second axis todrill slanting holes,

an angle drive connecting the power unit with the drill pipe rotatingmeans, said angle drive including a driving section carried by thesupport in substan-' tially the horizontal plane of the second axis,

a driven section carried by the mast and movable therewith,

a driving head having resilient mounting on the driving section andprovided with an axial socket,

means for rotatably and slidably carrying the driving head in fixedposition on the support,

a driven head on the driven section having a pilot for engaging in saidsocket of the driving head to register 7 the driving and driven heads inengagement when the mast is pivoted on said upper pivoting means and formaintaining said driving connection when the mast is pivoted on thelower means to drilling position,

universal means in the driven section centering with the second axis,and

means carried by the mast for supporting the driven head in position forthe pilot thereon to enter said socket of the driving head.

8. In a drilling rig for drilling slanting bore holes a mast,

a support for the mast,

a power unit on the support having a power output shaft,

a drill pipe rotating means on the mast and having g a power input shaftoffset from the power output shaft,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support about one axis,

a lower means for tilting the mast on the support about a second axis todrill slanting holes, and

an angle drive connecting the power output shaft with the power inputshaft of the drill pipe rotating means,

the improvement in which said angle drive includes a driving shaftsubstantially in the horizontal plane of the second axis,

a universal joint connecting the driving shaft with the power outputshaft, 1

a driving sleeve having splined connection with the driving shaft,

a bearing bracket carrying said sleeve to anchor the driven shaftrelatively to the support,

a driving head on the driving sleeve and provided with an axial socket,

a coil-spring between the universal joint and the driving sleeve toresiliently project the driving head from said bearing bracket,

a double universal joint connected with the power input shaft,

a driven head carried by the double universal joint and having a pilotfor engaging in said socket of the driving head to register the drivenhead with the driving head when the mast is pivoted on the upperpivoting means and for maintaining said driving connection when the mastis pivoted on the lower tilting means to drilling position, and

means carried by the mast supporting the driven head in position for thepilot to enter said socket.

9. In a drilling rig for drilling slanting bore holes having a mast,

a support for the mast,

a power unit on the support having a power output shaft,

a drill pipe rotating means on the mast and having a power input shaftoffset from the power output shaft,

an upper means for pivoting the mast on the support for movement from areclining position on the support about one axis,

a lower means for tilting the mast on the support about a second axis todrill slanting holes, and

an angle drive connecting the power output shaft with the power inputshaft of the drill pipe rotating means, the improvement in which saidangle drive includes a driving shaft substantially in the horizontalplane of the second axis,

a universal joint connecting'the driving shaft with the power outputshaft,

a driving sleeve having splined connection with the driving shaft,

a bearing bracket carrying said sleeve to anchor the driven shaftrelatively to the support,

a driving head on the driving'sleeve having driving lugs arranged aboutan axial socket,

a coil spring between the universal joint and the driving sleeve toresiliently project the driving head from said bearing bracket,

a double universal joint connected with the power input shaft,

a driven head carried by the double universal joint and having lugsarranged about a pilot for engaging in said socket of the driving headto register the lugs on the driven head with the lugs on the drivinghead when the mast is pivoted on the upper pivoting means and formaintaining said driving connection when the mast is pivoted on thelower tilting means to drilling position, and

means carried by the mast for supporting the driven head in position forthe pilot to enter said socket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Parrish 173-44Key 285-211 Brown 173-44 Johansen 173-28 BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, PrimaryExaminer.

LAWRENCE P. KESSLER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A DRILLING RIG FOR DRILLING BORE HOLES, INCLUDING A MAST, A SUPPORTFOR THE MAST, AN UPPER MEANS FOR PIVOTING THE MAST ON THE SUPPORT FORMOVEMENT FROM A RECLINING POSITION ON THE SUPPORT TO A SUBSTANTIALLYVERTICAL POSITION, A POWER UNIT ON THE SUPPORT, A DRILL PIPE ROTATINGMEANS ON THE MAST, AN ANGLE DRIVE SEPARATE FROM THE LOCATED BELOW SAIDUPPER PIVOTING MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE POWER UNIT WITH THE DRILL PIPEROTATING MEANS WHEN THE MAST IS MOVING INTO VERTICAL POSITION, SAIDANGLE DRIVE INCLUDING A DRIVING SECTION CARRIED BY THE SUPPORT, A DRIVENSECTION CARRIED BY THE MAST, AND MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY COUPLING SAIDSECTIONS TOGETHER WHEN THE MAST IS PIVOTED TO SAID VERTICAL POSITION.